On March 18, 2021, SCO Secretary-General Vladimir Norov met with Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Shenzhen municipal government, Zhong Jiajun.
During the meeting, Mr Norov noted that at present the SCO member countries were focusing on developing digital technology, including 5G, Big Data, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, robotics, and bio and nano technology. He said digitisation would help expedite inclusive economic development, create new points of growth and enhance the investment appeal of the SCO economies.
Mr Norov talked about the adopted legal documents in this area, notably, the concept for cooperation on digitisation and ICT, endorsed in June 2019, and the Programme for Multilateral Trade and Economic Cooperation until 2035.
Mr Norov talked about the adopted legal documents in this area, notably, the concept for cooperation on digitisation and ICT, endorsed in June 2019, and the Programme for Multilateral Trade and Economic Cooperation until 2035.
These documents give priority to cooperation on promoting the digital economy by exchanging experience, developing human capital and implementing joint economic and research projects.
Zhong Jiajun told attendees that the policy of reform and openness was launched in Shenzhen. Over the past 30 years, this policy has made the metropolis a symbol of China's socio-economic success. The city is developing the key foundation for an innovation-based economy of a new type, of the future. Thus, the city authorities plan to turn Shenzhen into a global digital technology model with Huawei's support. The plan provides for using 5G to promote vigorous industrial development, improve the efficiency of municipal management and upgrade socio-economic living standards.
The Chinese official noted that several famous global companies were founded in Shenzhen and have their head offices in the city (Ping'An Financial Group, Huawei Technologies, Amer International, Evergrande Group, China Merchants Bank, Tencent Holdings, Vanke, BYD, DJI, Mindray, and Hytera). He said there are over one million high-tech companies in the city.
Having expressed his interest in developing cooperation with the SCO member states, Zhong Jiajun invited the heads of the SCO Secretariat and representatives of the diplomatic missions of the SCO family, to visit Shenzhen in May 2021 to study in detail the city's potential in digitising the economy.